As if the raw talent at Vicente del Bosque's disposal was not worrying enough, Scotland must beware a Spanish squad who have arrived in Glasgow harbouring dual motivation. The World Cup winners sense they can inflict a fatal blow to the Scots' aspirations of reaching Euro 2012 – a mere four games into the qualification process – while living up to the status bestowed on them courtesy of a summer triumph in South Africa.

Craig Levein believes Scotland "are probably facing the best team that we have ever played". Yet that glowing endorsement from the Scottish manager is in contrast to the relative struggles of Del Bosque's players since they gave up their historical role as pretenders by lifting the World Cup.

Spain have understandably swept aside the meagre qualifying challenge of Liechtenstein and Lithuania thus far but could only draw a friendly with Mexico in August and were trounced 4-1 by Argentina a month ago. "This is something we have to get used to; every game is a special one for our opponents," said Del Bosque.

There is a feeling, notably among the Spanish media, that the international team has not fully shaken off their post-World Cup hangover. The toils of David Villa, who has failed to find the net for Spain since South Africa, back up that theory. Tomorrow night, Villa will have his latest opportunity to surpass Raúl's 44-goal record haul for his country.

"Three months ago we were crowned world champions and now every time we play it becomes a big, big match for our opponents," said Iker Casillas, the Spain goalkeeper. "They always see it as their chance to put one over on the European and world champions.

"You only need to look at Argentina when we went over there a few weeks ago and they played out of their skins. It means that however motivated our opponents are, we must match it."

Casillas believes Scotland's sense of purpose in Glasgow this evening should stem from the fear of failure and yet another barren campaign.

Friday night's 1-0 defeat in Prague to the Czech Republic means Levein has watched his players drop five points from a possible nine. They can barely afford further slip-ups. "If Scotland come away pointless from this game, it will be very hard for them to qualify," Casillas said. "The rest of the group would become very difficult and complicated for them. They need something from this game."

Del Bosque was unwilling to fully enter the debate over Levein's controversial 4-2-4-0 formation against the Czechs. "That is a crafty question," he said. "I don't want to comment on that because I would be seen to criticise another manager's tactics. I think we will see a more attacking Scotland team, they are playing in front of their own fans."

Thereafter came a warning. "We will be very much prepared for whatever tactics Scotland might use," said the Spain manager. "We have got various ways of playing if we have to combat a defensive style. A lot of our players are used to facing this at club level, anyway."

Del Bosque should have fond memories of Hampden. He managed Real Madrid when they won the European Cup there in 2002, a match in which Casillas also appeared as a substitute. Yet the coach has given a short shrift to memories of past glories.

"I am not a particularly nostalgic kind of guy," he said. "I do not live for the past. We are here for three points."

Levein's attitude is now arguably more defensive than the approach of his team. There was stinging criticism from supporters and the media in the aftermath of Friday's game, leaving the manager to re-assert that he will not be swayed by public pressure to employ more attacking tactics. "You're assuming I have read any papers, which I haven't," he said.

His displeasure last week stemmed from a tabloid report which laid out his team to face the Czechs, 48 hours before the game. "Here's how it works: I got this job and the job is to try and qualify for the Euros," added the Scotland manager. "I'll do that the way I think is right. If it causes a little bit of a stooshie and some of you press guys get upset, then so what? That's not my concern.

"I've got a group of players who I believe I can work with and who everybody who watched against the Czech Republic realised they put everything they had into the match. For me, that's a great starting point and we move on.

"We're at home, it's really important we get the supporters right behind us and we will see what we can do.